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Also down were skilled migration (11 per cent), international students (down 7 per cent), and the number of people admitted under the essential skills policy (down 1 per cent).

Of the 18,843 people approved under the skilled migrant category, India accounted for 17 per cent, edging out the United Kingdom.

Massey University sociologist Professor Paul Spoonley said the Asian population growth was expected and Filipinos were "growing significantly as a new migrant group".

The report attributes the total net migration loss last year to the record departures by New Zealand citizens to Australia.

"With the significant number of New Zealanders leaving, and the number of Asians arriving either as temporary or permanent remaining stable, the proportion that are Asian would have gone up faster than we would have anticipated," Professor Spoonley said.

Roger Wigglesworth, acting general manager for research, evaluation and analysis, said the report highlighted the impact of local and international events on migration.